Rotary implement



l April 17, 1962 P. c. HUTTON ROTARY IMPLEMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 hf? S j I N VEN TOR.

Filed Jan.' 18, 1960 t lil l April 17, 1962 P. c. HUTTON ROTARY IMPLEMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 18, 1960 INVENTOR.

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3,029,399 RTARY HviiLEP/BENT Paul C. Hutton, Charlottesville, Va. (53 Harvard Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) Filed Jan. 18, 196i), Ser. No. 2,896 Claims. (Cl. 18S- 37) The present invention relates to a spring-actuated rotary implement in which a coil spring is put under compression and, upon release, one end is caused to rotate to thereby effect rotation of an implement. This invention also contemplates a special coil spring, the ends of which rotate relative to each other upon relative axial movement of the ends.

Rotary implements or tools are known which are connected to an external source of energy, such as compressed air or electrical energy, and other such rotary devices are known in which the energy source is within the device itself. In this latter category may be mentioned devices which are powered by an electric battery contained within the tool. Implements or tools in the first category are usually relatively expensive and have the added deficiency that they are somewhat unhandy and cumbersome because of their connection to the source of energy. Those implements or tools which are battery operated are either of very low power and torque, due to the small size of batteries, or if of suiciently high power torque, are heavy due to the large and heavier batteries.

Another category of rotary implements or tools is known in which the rotary motion imparted to the working element, such as a screw driver blade, depends" upon an axial pressure upon the workpiece, such as the screw, and thus are subject to limitations.

Still other rotary devices are known in which a spring is wound for storing energy imparted thereto by manual operation, but such devices usually have a high rate of rotation and a low or a varying torque, and sometimes both.

An object of the present invention is to provide a rotary, spring-operated implement or tool which has a relatively constant and high torque.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a spring-operated rotary implement or tool in which energy is stored in the spring or the spring, is loaded by a facile manual operation and will deliver a relatively constant torque.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a spring-actuated mechanical eraser.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a mechanical eraser which will eiectively erase marks from a paper or the like with a relatively light pressure thereof against the surface to be erased.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a coil spring of simple construction in which relative rotary motion between its ends will result from relative axial displacement of said ends.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following specification and accompanying drawings, wherein: v i

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional View of a spring-operated rotary implement or tool in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is Va similar view of the device of HG. 1 in which the spring thereof has been partially compressed.

FIG. 3 is another view similar to that of FIG. l after the loading or compressing movement has been completed.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. l, with parts removed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, with parts removed, of a part of an extensible and collapsible rotary rod used in the device of FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, with parts removed, of another part of the rotary rod.

FIG. 7 is a perspective View, with parts removed, of the rotary rod in assembled form.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a spring in accordance with the present invenl10n.

FIG. l() is a View similar to FIG. 9 and showing another embodiment of the spring of the present invention.

FIG. 1l is a cross-sectionalv view showing still another embodiment of a spring in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. l2 is a further cross-sectional view showing a still further embodiment of the spring of the present, invention.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters are used to designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 a device according to the present invention in the form of a mechanical eraser 1 comprising an outer tube or housing 2 having a cap 3 secured to the upper end thereof by cooperating screw threads 4 on tube Zand threads 5 on the cap 3. These threads are relatively coarse to permit leakage of air to and from a chamber 6 in the upper portion of tube 2. beneath the cap 3. The passage provided by the threads 4 and 5 for leakage of air is regulable, depending upon the extent that cap 3 is screwed onto the outer tube 2.

Within the outer tube 2 there is reciprocably slidably mounted a piston-like tube 7 having its upper end closed by a conical top 8.

An extensible and collapsible or telescopic rotary rod 9 has a first part 10 to which is secured a ring 11. This ring 11 rests upon and may rotate relatively to a support disc 12 fixed to the interior of piston tube 7 adjacent the conical top 8. The upper end 13 of the part itl or rod 9 is generally conical and may engage the underside of conical top 8, which will thus act as a bearing for said upper end 13.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, there is shown the iirst part 10 of rotary rod 9, which part 10 has, as above described, an upper end 13. Depending from upper end i 13 are two juxtaposed rod-like members 14 and 15, each of which has a square cross section transverse to the axis thereof, the members 14 and 15 being apically aligned and juxtaposed. As may be seen in FIG. 6, the second part 16 of telescopic rotary rod 9 has a lower end 17 and two rod-like members 18 and 19 which are similar to the members 14 and 15 of the rst part 10. Because the members 14 and 15 or the members 18 and 19, or both sets of these members, are not integral with each other, the two rotary rod parts 10 and 16 may interpenetrate each other, as is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, thus affording mutually supporting sliding contact for the parts 10 and 16 of extensible and collapsible rotary rod 9.

Encircling the outer tube 2 is an operating ring 2i) having `depending arms 21 and 22 secured at their upper portions thereto. Outer tube 2 is provided with slots 23 and 24 extending axially thereof. Connecting means 25 and 26, which are conveniently in the form of rivets, pass through said slots and connect the lower ends of arms Z1 and 22 to piston tube '7. As will be readily understood, movement or operating ring 20 axially of the device will effect movement of piston tube 7.

At its lower end, the outer tube 2 has a portion of enlarged diameter, as shown at 27, a shoulder 2S at lthe aoeaaea upper end of tbe enlarged diameter 27 providing a stop for the upper end of a relatively short carrier tube 29 that is slidably mounted within the portion of enlarged diameter 27 oi' outer tube 2. Carrier tube 29 is of somewhat smaller diameter than the enlarged portion of tube 2, and thus there is provided suticient clearance therebetween. Carrier tube 29 is of substantially the same diameter as piston tube 7, and thus the upper end of cartier tube 29 may be engaged by the lower end of piston tube 7.

Thrcadedly secured to the lower end of carrier tube 29 is a support 30 having an axially extending bore 31 therethrough. Support 3% has thereabove, and in engagement therewith, a bearing retainer 32 having a plurality of ball bearings 33 arranged in a circular pattern therein. The retainer 32 and ball bearings 33 constitute a thrust bearing and support a rotatable thrust plate 34. The second part 16 of rotary rod 9 extends through the thrust bearing 32, 33, the thrust plate 34, and the support 3'3, and is connected to thrust plate 34 to rotate therewith.

Coil spring means 35 of special construction has its upper end secured to the support disc 12 which is in turn secured to piston tube 7. The lower end of spring means 3S is connected to the thrust plate 34 which is connected with the second part 16 of rotary rod 9. Spring means 35 is a coil spring of such construction and has such characteristics that during axial compression or expansion, one end will rotate relative to the other. In other words, if one end is prevented from rotating, the other end thereof will be caused to rotate as the spring is axially compressed or expanded.

A helical coil compression spring 36 of usual construction extends between the retainer 32 and support disc 12 and serves, in known fashion, to urge apart piston tube 7 and carrier tube 29.

A relatively heavy helical coil compression spring 37 is provided in the annular space between carrier tube 29 and the enlarged portion 27 of outer tube 2. Spring 37 resists movement of the carrier tube 29 axially downwardly and outwardly of tube 2 upon engagement of the lower end of tube 7 with the upper end of carrier tube 29.

A spring-pressed latch 38 is pivotally mounted on a band 39 which is secured about the outer tube 2. Latch 38 comprises a catch member 40 and a leaf spring 41. As is best seen in FIGS. l to 3, the catch member 40 is engageable with the operating `ring to retain tube 7 in a position whereby all springs 3S, 36 and 37 are loaded.

At the lower end of rod 9, and carried thereby below support 30, is an eraser 42 that is preferably of the kind shown in Hutton Patent No. 2,686,495, of August 17, 1954, which eraser comprises a number of abrasive laments which are preferably berglass. This eraser is one of several implements or tools which may be rotated in accordance with the present invention.

In operation, the parts are initially in the position shown in FIG. 1, with the conical top 8 of piston 7 near the cap 3. Carrier tube 29 is in its uppermost position, urged thereby the spring 37, and abutting against the shoulder 28 of outer tube 2. The outer tube 2 and/or cap 3 may be grasped in one hand and operating ring 20 in the other, and the ring 20 urged downwardly towards the catch 40 ot' the latch. This eitects the downward movement of piston tube 7 Within outer tube 2, creating a reduced pressure in chamber 6. At the position shown in FIG. 2, the lower end of piston tube 7 is just about to contact the upper end of carrier tube 29. Energy has been stored in spring means 35 during the movement of operating ring 2t) and piston tube 7, and the spring 36 has also been compressed.

After the top 8 has been moved downwardly until it reaches the upper end of slots 23 and 24, air will rush through these slots into chamber 6 to reestablish atmospheric pressure therein.

Further downward movement of operating ring 20 is continued until it occupies the position shown in FIG. 3, wherein it is held by the catch 4G of spring-pressed latch 33. It will be observed that the lower end of piston tube 7 has engaged the upper end of carrier tube Z9 and has moved the latter downwardly and through the lower end of outer tube 2, spring 37 being compressed during this movement. rhe device is then cocked or loaded ready for use.

When the spring-pressed latch 3S is released by pressing on the lower end thereof, the spring 37 will quickly force tnc carrier tube 29 and the piston tube 7 upwardly. rI'his rapid upward movement of piston tube 7 will serve to compress the air in chamber 6 above top S to such a point that it will otter resistance to the further upward movement of piston tube 7, which, of course, will continue to move upwardly, ybut at a slow and constant rate, under the urging of the spring 36 and spring means 35 against the resistance of the air being forced from cnamber 6 by leakage through the passage provided between the threads 4 and 5.

During the upward movement of piston tube 7, it will of course carry the support disc 12, the ring 11, and the first or upper part 10 of collapsible-expansible rod 9 therewith. While spring means 35 will exert a torque on support disc 12, the upper end of spring 3S, which is connected to support disc 12, will not be able to rotate because it is connected to piston tube 7, and the latter cannot revolve within outer tube 2 due to the connectors 25 and 26 extending through the slots 23 and 24 in outer tube 2. As the piston tube 7 rises, however, the lower end of spring means 35 will also be subjected to a torque and will rotate the thrust plate 34 on the ball bearings 33. Since thrust plate 34 is connected to the second part of rod 9, all of its parts will be caused to rotate and will rotate the eraser 42 or other implement which is connected thereto.

It will be understood that the spring means 35 will effect both rotation of the rod 9 and axial movement of the piston tube 7 and that spring 36 will aid in the axial movement of piston tube 7 upwardly.

From the foregoing it will be observed that this invention provides a spring-operated rotary implement having a relatively constant torque throughout its movement, the implement being rotated at a constant and high torque quickly after the release of the catch member thereof and as soon as air has been suiiciently compressed within an air chamber therein. Also, the speed can be controlled by adjustment of the escape of air from chamber 6 wherein it is compressed by the upward movement of piston top 8 above the upper ends of slots 23 and 24.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown one form of spring means 35 having a generally helical configuration and of square cross section.

In FIG. 10 there is shown another embodiment of the spring means 35a, having a rectangular cross section with the longitudinal axis of the rectangle inclined to the axis of the spring.

in FIG. ll there is shown another embodiment of spring means 35b which has a ribbon-like cross section, being relatively narrower than the rectangular cross section shown in FIG. l0.

In FIG. 12 the spring means 35C has an elliptical cross section, with the major axis of each elliptical cross-sectional element being inclined to the longitudinal axis of the spring means as a whole.

These various' embodiments of the spring means will operate as aforesaid to provide a rotational movement of a free end thereof when the other end is held and when the spring means is allowed to expand after compression. With regard to the embodiments in FIGS. l0, l1 and l2, it will be noted that the longer dimension of the crosssectional elements is inclined and this will cause the spring means shown therein to expand outwardly some what as the spring means expands axially.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

Having described rny invention, I claim:

1. A device for imparting rotary motion to a rotatable element comprising an outer tube having a piston tube slidable therein and a cap threadedly mounted on the upper end thereof, the threads of the cap and outer tube being relatively coarse and providing a regulable air passage between a chamber in the outer tube and the exterior, said piston tube having the upper end `thereof closed, a rotary rod having a rst part rotatably secured to the closed end of said piston tube and a second part in slidable engagement with said first part, an operating ring encircling said outer tube, said outer tube having a pair of elongated slots therein, a pair of connectors attached to said ring extending through said slots and attached to said piston tube for moving said piston tube upon movement of said operating ring, a carrier tube slidably mounted in the lower end of said outer tube and spaced therefrom, said carrier tube being positioned for engagement by said piston tube, a thrust bearing supported by said calrier ltube and having a rotatable thrust plate thereon, said second part of said rod extending through and connected with said thrust plate, and coil spring means having characteristics whereby relative rotation of the ends occurs upon relative axial displacement of the ends having an upper end secured to the upper end of said piston tube and a lower end secured to said thrust plate for rotating said thrust plate upon axial expansion of said spring after axial compression.

2. A device according to claim l in which a coil spring extends between said carrier `tube and the upper part of said' piston tube -for urging said carrier tube and piston tube apart.

3. A device according to claim 2 in which a heavy coil spring is positioned in the space between said carrier tube and said outer tube for resisting movement of said carrier tube downwardly and outwardl3 of said outer tube upon engagement of said carrier tube by said piston tube, whereby upon compression of said spring means by downward movement of said operating ring and piston tube and subsequent release thereof, said coil spring means will expand and rotate said thrust plate and said rotary rod.

4. A device according to claim 3 in which a springpressed latch is mounted on said outer tube engageable with the operating ring in a lower position thereof.

5. A device according to claim l in which an eraser is mounted on the lower end of. the rotary rod.

References {Zited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS `202,019 Gray Apr. 2, 1878 1,933,768 Siqveland Nov. 7, 1933 2,000,905 Rockefeller May 14, 1935 2,402,666 Raspet June 25, 1946 2,454,552 Cobean Nov. 23, 1948 2,510,978 Hutton June 13, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,218,333 France Dec. 14, 1959 

